What is the best mobility scooter to buy?
Purchasing a mobility scooter can be life-changing – increasing your personal freedoms and comfort. If you’re in the market for a new mobility scooter, you may be wondering which options are best suited for your needs. As they’re not widely available on the UK’s NHS, mobility scooters can range in price from £400 to £5,000 – so they’re quite the investment.
It’s important to purchase a scooter that is safe, comfortable for your body, suitable for your lifestyle and a good investment. We recommend you seek professional medical advice and speak to a member of staff at a mobility scooter shop before making your final decision.
To get you started though, this article offers a list of some of the best mobility scooters available.
What is a mobility scooter?
A mobility scooter is an electric vehicle designed to help those who struggle with walking. As a walking aid, it can help those with mobility issues or disabilities to get around more easily.
There are two classes of mobility scooter:
Class 2 invalid carriages – these mobility scooters can be driven at a maximum speed of 4mph and can only be driven on the road if there is no pavement. You do not need to register a class 2 invalid carriage.
Class 3 invalid carriages – these mobility scooters can be driven at a maximum speed of 4mph off the road and 8mph on the road. You must register a class 3 invalid carriage, and must be 14 or older to drive one.
While the term invalid carriage is referenced in government legislation, mobility scooter is preferred as a more inclusive modern term.
What should you consider when buying a mobility scooter?
Image source: Adobe Stock
There is no one size fits all mobility scooter – everyone will have different requirements. There are several things you should consider when selecting the right scooter for you:
How often will you need to use it?
How often you will be using your scooter can impact which one is best suited for you. Will you require a vehicle with a longer battery life or are you willing to spend a little more on it due to regular use?
Where will you be using it – roads or pavements?
You can only use certain mobility scooters on the road, so if you require road travel, this will limit your options.
What range do you need it to have?
Will you be travelling longer distances on your mobility scooter? Do you need it to have a long range on a single charge?
Will you be able to steer it, or will you require a lever or tiller?
Image source: Adobe Stock
How you drive a mobility scooter can range from vehicle to vehicle, so it’s important to find one that’s suitable and comfortable for you.
How will you store it?
Ideally your scooter should be stored outside in a secure storage space, such as a shed, where you are also able to charge it using a power supply. However, that is not always practical for some owners. Some mobility scooters can be folded down to store into smaller spaces, which is perfect if you do not have a garage or garden to store them.
What is your budget?
Unsurprisingly, a high budget means you will be able to buy a vehicle with high-specifications. No matter whether you have cash to splash or are on a shoestring, it is a good idea to shop around to find the best deal.
How much will it cost to maintain and repair?
It’s not only your initial investment you need to consider. It’s important to look into the longevity of your mobility scooter to ensure you won’t need to splash out on repairs on a regular basis. Depending on the type of scooter you buy, repair costs are fairly cheap. Ignition repair, motor replacement and a standard check-up all cost around £60-150.
Will you need to transport it and how will you transport it?
If you plan on regularly transporting your mobility scooter in a car or wheelchair accessible vehicle, it’s important to find one that can become compact but can also be folded and unfolded with ease.
Mobility scooters: the rules
When it comes to mobility scooters, there are some rules enforced by the UK government that could affect which one you buy.
Only certain scooters can be driven on the road, for example. If you need to drive your scooter on the road, perhaps due to where you live, then you should consider class 3 invalid carriages. If you’re 13 or younger, however, you’re only permitted to drive class 2 invalid carriages.
We’ve separated our list of the UK’s best mobility scooters in two categories: class 2 and class 3.
Top mobility scooters: class 2
Abilize Stride Sport
The Abilize Stride Sport ranks high on just about every best mobility scooters list thanks to its smooth and comfortable ride, both indoors and outdoors. The handling on the Stride Sport is easy to set up, and adjust in the future if you need to and handles hill starts superbly. It’s also able to collapse effortlessly and can fit into most car boots, making it perfect for when you travel afar. It also comes with anti-tip stabiliser wheels, an LED light for travelling in the darker evenings and a swivel seat.
The battery range is around 17 miles and only takes 12 hours to charge to its maximum capacity.
Dimensions
Length: 112cm
Width: 59cm
Height: 89cm
Official source: View
Price: £1,199
Drive DeVilbiss Auto Folding Scooter
This is one of the best folding mobility scooters on the market – also making it one the best portable mobility scooters available. The Drive DeVilbiss Auto Folding Scooter is designed to be easily transported, folding down to a compact size and weighing only 27.5kg. Not only is it easy to carry and store, with a carry handle – ideal for taking in a car or on a plane – the mobility scooter can be folded and unfolded in only 15 seconds, ready to be used again. You can do this using a remote or by pressing a button on the tiller.
The mobility scooter can travel around 10 miles on a full battery. It features a height-adjustable tiller, padded seat and backrest and anti-roll back system to support when driving uphill. You can also purchase the four-wheeled scooter in blue or red.
Unfolded dimensions
Length: 96cm
Width: 62cm
Height: 88cm
Folded dimensions
Length: 44cm
Width: 62cm
Height: 64cm
Official source: View
Price: £1,755
Li-Tech Air Mobility Scooter
Image source: Li-Tech Mobility
This class 2 mobility scooter has a maximum speed of 3.7mph, just below the legal limit, and carries a maximum weight of 135kg. It takes 30 minutes to assemble and can travel up to seven miles on a single charge. While this isn’t quite as far as the Drive DeVilbiss scooter, this is reflected in the price, costing only £999.
The mobility scooter features a lithium-ion battery, enabling fast charging and durability – you shouldn’t need to worry about changing the battery. The Li-Tech Air also has a front basket, to help you carry your personal belongings. The vehicle weighs 38kg and can be dismantled into five parts, with the heaviest part weighing 15kg, so is ideal for travelling.
Dimensions
Length: 104cm
Width: 50cm
Height: 90cm
Official source: View
Price: £1,199
Drive DeVilbiss Scout Venture
Image source: Mobility Scooter Plus
This Drive DeVilbiss scooter reaches a top speed of 4mph and can also travel 13 miles on a single charge. The vehicle does not fold but it can be broken down into five parts, similar to the Li-Tech scooter. This is useful when travelling, although the scooter does weigh slightly more at 49kg. As standard with Drive DeVilbiss, the scooter features anti-tip wheels and an anti-rollback system. The scooter has easy tiller and seat adjustments to suit the user’s needs. This is one of the cheaper scooters on our list at £879 and you can also purchase it in red or blue, both coming with a basket.
Dimensions
Length: 108cm
Width: 48cm
Height: 91cm
Official source: View
Price: £879
CareCo AirLite X
Image source: CareCo
If you’re on a tight budget, this may be your best option. The AirLite X is one of the cheapest mobility scooters available on the market, costing only £599. It has a turning radius of 116.50cm and features a swivel seat and an intuitive control system. Reaching top speeds of 3.7mph and coming with a 10Ah battery, the scooter can travel 7.5 miles on a single charge – making it ideal for shorter journeys. The vehicle weighs 41kg and can support up to 115kg.
Dimensions
Length: 101cm
Width: 49cm
Height: 82cm
Official source: View
Price: £599.99
Pride Go-Go Elite Traveller
Image source: Pride Mobility
Compact and light, the Go-Go Elite Traveller weighs only 41kg without batteries and has a 121cm turning radius for easy manoeuvrability. The scooter has an LED display, front basket, comfortable seating and interchangeable panels. With feather-touch disassembly, the scooter can be taken apart into five pieces to help with transportation. The Go-Go Elite Traveller has a maximum weight of 136kg and reaches 4mph. The scooter comes with two 12Ah batteries, with the option to upgrade to 17Ah – which will allow you to travel up to 14 miles on a single charge.
Dimensions
Length: 106cm
Width: 52cm
Height: 86cm
Official source: View
Price: £795
Drive DeVilbiss Envoy 4
The Envoy 4 offers the performance expected from class 3 vehicles, all the while conforming to class 2 restrictions. This mobility scooter has the furthest range of any of the class 2 vehicles on our list, reaching an incredible 30 miles on a single charge. It can travel up to 4mph with its 350W motor and can carry up to 160kg. However, these top specs mean the Envoy 4 weighs a hefty 94kg, so is not the easiest to transport. It comes in a variety of colours.
Larger than its competitors, the Envoy 4 is the ideal scooter for those who want the style and power of a class 3 without the price.
Dimensions
Length: 121cm
Width: 60cm
Height: 102cm
Official source: View
Price: £1,750
I-Go Vertex Sport
The I-Go Vertex Sport has one of the highest ground clearances in the market at 7cm, which dramatically reduces the chances of bumps and uneven pavements scraping the underneath of your scooter.
But that’s not all, this mobility scooter is all about comfort. It has ample back support with a superb padded seat, along with extra padding on the handlebars and armrests, it will feel like you’re riding in style. The drive itself is also smooth and controlled and once again this scooter is easy to collapse for transporting.
The only slight drawback is its battery life, which although it only takes 10 hours for a full charge, the range is only 15 miles.
Dimensions
Length: 108cm
Width: 49.5cm
Height: 94cm
Official source: View
Price: £999.99
Top mobility scooters: class 3
TGA Vita X
Image source: TGA Mobility
The TGA Vita X reaches 8mph and offers a respectable range of 25 miles on a single charge. The scooter features long-life LED lights and indicators, a rotating seat, front and rear bumpers, all-round suspension and five-spoke wheels. It has a maximum weight of 158kg and can travel up a maximum gradient of 10 degrees. The clear liquid crystal display panel can show all your vital information, even in low light, such as speed, distance travelled and battery life, as well as the time and temperature. However, priced at over £4,300, it is also the most expensive option on our list.
Dimensions
Length: 162cm
Width: 78cm
Height: 158cm
Official source: View
Price: £4,499
Green Power ZT4
Image source: Mobility Power
The ZT4 has an 800W motor and a 60V20Ah battery. Travelling 45 miles on a single charge, it ties with the Green Power Unique500 for the furthest range of any of the scooters on our list. It also has a climbing capacity of 30 degrees and comes with a remote and alarm. The sturdy vehicle is designed to be comfortable – it has a maximum capacity of 235kg on the plush shell’s seat, which can be pushed forward and back, and padded, adjustable armrests. The well-designed ZT4 also features a phone and bottle holder.
Dimensions
Length: 180cm
Width: 69cm
Height: 120cm
Official source: View
Price: £1,690
Veleco Faster
The Veleco Faster comes in four colourways: red, blue, black and grey. With a 1000W power motor, the scooter can reach its top speed of 8mph with ease. The class 3 vehicle can take on 17-degree inclines, priding itself on stability, and can reach 40 miles on one charge. With an LED display, hazard lights and lockable storage, the vehicle is safe and secure. Well-designed, the scooter also includes details to make your life easier, such as a cup holder and shopping handle. The adjustable armchair also provides ultimate comfort.
Dimensions
Length: 160cm
Width: 70cm
Height: 120cm
Official source: View
Price: £1,560
Pro Rider Road King Plus
Image source: Pro Rider Mobility
Following on from the Pro Rider Road King, the Plus has been designed to offer additional comfort. The vehicle offers a 700W motor, helping it travel 25 miles on a single charge. Reaching top speeds of 8mph, the scooter has easy driving controls and anti tippers. The Road King Plus has a maximum weight limit of 135kg and its seat has a swivel and slide mechanism for easy mounting and dismounting. It comes in red and black, with both having a detachable basket.
Dimensions
Length: 129cm
Width: 62cm
Height: 115cm
Official source: View
Price: £1,699
Vega RS8
Image source: CareCo
The Vega RS8 is a sturdy machine, weighing 94kg with a 700W motor. The vehicle has a turning radius of 140cm and can travel up to 24 miles per charge. The high/low speed switch enables you to change speed with ease, ideal when moving between roads and pavements. The maximum weight capacity is 136kg and maximum gradient capacity is 10 degrees. The scooter also has a swivel seat and adjustable delta tiller bar, helping you to travel in comfort.
Dimensions
Length: 120cm
Width: 64cm
Height: 115.5cm
Official source: View
Price: £1,799.99
Green Power Unique500
Image source: Mobility Power
This three-wheeled mobility scooter is a stylish option. Designed to look like a retro bike, there are four colour varieties – blue, red, black and white. There is also the option of an additional MP3 player. Equipped with a remote and alarm, the scooter is not only stylish but secure. As with the rest of the class 3 vehicles, the Unique500 reaches top speeds of 8mph. It also offers full suspension and can support 178kg, while travelling 45 miles on a single charge.
Dimensions
Length: 177cm
Width: 70cm
Height: 125cm
Official source: View
Price: £1,690
Mobility scooter insurance from Adrian Flux
Whether you’re buying a mobility scooter for the first time or upgrading from a previous model, you’ll need insurance to protect you in the event of an accident or theft. Adrian Flux offers specialist mobility scooter insurance to give you ultimate peace of mind. And with rates starting from just £5 per month, call 0800 369 8590 to get your mobility scooter insured today. Or if you prefer, book a callback at a time that suits you.
